Is peripartum zidovudine absolutely necessary for patients with a viral load less than 1,000 copies/ml?

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011 Nov;31(8):740-2. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2011.599887.

Abstract

Late access to obstetrics service, viral load of >1,000 copies/ml and short duration antenatal highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), are the strongest predictors for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Neonatal triple therapy did not seem to reduce MTCT if the above risk factors were present. Intrapartum intravenous zidovudine (i.v. ZDV) of <4 h does not seem to increase the risk of MTCT if the viral load is <1,000 in those receiving HAART. Intrapartum i.v. ZDV >4 h did not seem to reduce the risk of MTCT with the viral load >1,000 in patients having <4 weeks of HAART.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
  • Prenatal Care / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Viral Load*
  • Zidovudine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Zidovudine